At Fellowship on Steam, the developers announced their plans for the future and want to work not only on the biggest criticisms but also on their own identity.
What kind of game is this? Fellowship is a cooperative online adventure that offers dungeons and instances from MMORPGs as a standalone title on Steam. Players can complete various dungeons in 4-player groups with versatile customizable difficulty settings, thereby earning new gear, levels, and talents.
Fellowship completely forgoes typical quests, like retrieving the beloved necklace for the miller’s daughter, and throws players into the dungeons almost from minute 1.
Many players find the title perfect to play alongside an MMORPG or when they are disappointed with the genre. However, the developers want to move away from the image of being a “side game” and work more on their own identity in the future.
Here you can watch a trailer for Fellowship:
Start video
Fellowship presents all characters in the action-packed Early Access trailer
More and Better
What are the developers planning? The developers of Fellowship recently spoke about the future plans for the game. Already on December 11th, the winter and Christmas event will start at Fellowship. Here, players can expect festive decorations as well as the introduction of a search mode for the dungeons in “Eternal” difficulty.
In the further future, the focus will primarily be on expanding the game with new characters. A new tank and a new healer are set to be added to the game. There will also be new weapons and modifiers for them. Naturally, new dungeons, which are also in the works, cannot be missed among the content.
What I find really interesting is that those who thought, “Oh, this is an M+-simulator,” are now realizing why that might be a misinterpretation. I find that really exciting because, while I’m very pleased to be mentioned in the same discussion [as WoW], I have hopes and dreams for Fellowship that go far beyond the role of a side game for something else.
Community Director Hamish Bode in an interview with PCGamesN
Above all, the season system is a new feature that is set to arrive in early 2026 and will change a lot for the players.
What do the seasons bring? The new season system of Fellowship is meant to make the game continually expandable through seasons. At the start of the upcoming season in 2026, the progression of all characters will be reset, after which new content will be added.
A new character is planned for early 2026, along with a revamp of skill trees, dungeons, and curses. Players can expect to see the scale of change with upcoming content updates.
How will this sharpen the profile? By losing their progress in Fellowship due to the season updates, players are compelled by the developers to always restart in “MODA.” Those who only want to log in for a few rounds every few weeks will no longer get far in the game in the future.
While the developers’ approach of forcing players to restart through season resets offers extra content for frequent players, it also makes the game simultaneously less appealing for casual gamers.
Whether the developers of Fellowship will steer MODA in the right direction with the announced changes or whether the live service concept will ultimately be a misdirection remains to be seen. The developers of Palworld have taken a completely different path: Head of Palworld explains why his game will not be a hated live service game
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
For PS5 and Steam, a new action RPG is coming soon: In Tides of Annihilation, the voice of Shadowheart from Baldur’s Gate 3 embarks on a new role through the devastated London while calling forth fierce Kaiju battles.
What is Tides of Annihilation? Tides of Annihilation is an announced single-player action RPG for PS5 and PC via Steam. It is currently being developed by the Chinese developer Eclipse Glow Games, which is also backed by Tencent.
The game was announced during a State of Play in early 2025. Now there is a new trailer that focuses on what is called Mirror Combat gameplay. In it, you can also hear the voice of Shadowheart from Baldur’s Gate 3, Jennifer English, as Gwendolyn:
Start video
In the trailer for Tides of Annihilation, Kaijus fight in the ruins of London
Baldur’s Gate 3 meets Final Fantasy meets Elden Ring
What is the game about? Tides of Annihilation is based on the Arthurian legend, according to the developers. Players take on the role of Gwendolyn, voiced by Shadowheart from Baldur’s Gate 3: Jennifer English. She fights alongside so-called Spectral Knights to try to save her family and world.
According to the developers, the game is inspired by the legends surrounding King Arthur and his famous Round Table. In the trailer, the heroine Gwendolyn fights alongside the knight Lamorak against Tyronoe, The Ferryman – one of the eight sisters of Morgan le Fay.
Thus, the developer introduces the Mirror Combat gameplay. In this, Tyronoe transforms into a huge winged monster and then back into her human form. Gwendolyn swings her sword but receives a power-up from her knight. The arena alternates between a lilac flower world and the ruins of London.
The rather minimal UI and the combat itself are reminiscent of Final Fantasy XVI, which is known for its Kaiju-like battles. The character and world design, on the other hand, are reminiscent of Elden Ring, Nier: Automata, or Stellar Blade.
How is the trailer being received? In the comments on YouTube, players primarily comment on how beautiful the game is. @macDaivcK calls it a fever dream, while @adrianseidelman7940 and @ProGaming-kb9io express their appreciation for the art direction and the hard work of all the artists involved.
Regarding gameplay, @CV-Im7pv notes that Gwendolyn had summoned a companion and questions whether Nintendo might get involved. This commenter refers to a recently rejected new patent from Nintendo that would patent such a function. Otherwise, the gameplay is mainly described as creative and beautiful. @onem0repixel writes that the trailer is a crazy tech demo.
The comparison platform eDreams is said to have ripped off customers with excessive fees on Ryanair flights. With a targeted technical measure, Ryanair cut off the access interface from eDreams and within a few days caused the stock value of the travel provider to plummet.
What exactly happened? Flight prices have always been somewhat opaque, at least from the perspective of those who just want to travel quickly and cheaply for their well-deserved break. The fact that the prices displayed do not always correspond shows a dispute between the airline Ryanair and the comparison and booking platform eDreams.
Start video
Valve presents the Steam Machine in the new trailer
According to current reports, Ryanair blocked the automated query (“screen scraping”) of prices by eDreams. The mechanism blocks bot access to the airline’s website, so prices cannot be automatically retrieved. As a result: bookings through eDreams for Ryanair are said to have dropped by up to 80% in the last two months (via Xataka).
The further consequence: the share price of eDreams fell by around 40% in a single day. In addition, Ryanair stated in official communications that eDreams was “the only large online travel agent” demanding “excessive prices” for Ryanair tickets, while other OTAs (English: Online Travel Agency, German: Online-Reiseanbieter) agreed to a transparent price access (via investegate).
Ryanair vs. eDreams
How is the conflict progressing in the meantime? eDreams views Ryanair’s actions as “abusive, illegal and anti-competitive”. In a corresponding statement, eDreams accused Ryanair of systematically excluding travel agents.
However, the airline has already clarified in its statement regarding the internal company standards that this is not true. It states in the statement:
[…] These standards are successfully implemented by most other major online travel agencies, including Booking.com, Lastminute, Kiwi, and many others. Ryanair’s offer to grant eDreams free access to our ticket offer remains in place as long as eDreams is willing to commit to the same principles of price transparency that competitors have committed to in the last two years (via marketscreener).
However, eDreams has already initiated legal proceedings against Ryanair – in July 2025, Ryanair was ordered by a Spanish court to distance itself from the accusations against eDreams after Ryanair accused eDreams of piracy. Ryanair immediately filed an appeal. At least that is what the Spanish business and finance newspaper Cinco Dias reported.
Who controls sales, prices, and customer data? For you as travelers, this means: not only look at the price but also at booking paths, providers, and the choice of transport. Here you can read why the train has literally left everyone behind in one country and why flying there suddenly brings no advantages: Flying no longer pays off on a distance of 1,300 km
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
It has been known for some time that the Netflix adaptation of One Piece will receive both Season 2 and a Season 3. Now fans are hopeful that there will be more background story about a certain character.
What is known about Season 3?After initial actors like Cole Escola have been announced for Season 3, Netflix is now showing a new image for the corresponding season. On X, a desert can be seen, where the script for Season 3, a skull, and a Log Pose lie, the navigational device in One Piece. This emphasizes again that Season 3 will take place after Alabasta.
The image shows a desert, a skull, a Log Pose, and a knife.
Additionally, there is a knife visible, which some fans note may belong to Ace, who will be played by Xolo Maridueña in Season 3. Relatedly, the team at Netflix states that production on Season 3 has already begun.
This shortens the wait time between Season 2 and Season 3. We know that Season 2 will premiere on Netflix on March 10, 2026. Moreover, Netflix confirms that the actors for Chopper, Mister 0, Miss Bloody Sunday, and King Cobra will be back on board.
However, one detail keeps fans pondering when looking at the image. They believe that the knife in the image could have a deeper meaning.
Start video
A new sneak peek shows behind the scenes of One Piece season 2 and how some fight scenes were filmed
Fans hope for more background on Ace
What do fans believe? On Reddit, fans discuss that Ace’s story may be expanded. They believe that a bit more of his backstory could be told in Season 3 instead of in the original at the Marineford Arc.
The additional content could, according to fans, be the cover stories of the manga, in which Ace finds Blackbeard. The novel about Ace could also play a role, say the users.
And this would even be possible: Already in Season 1, the roles of Monkey D. Garp and Corby were expanded more than in the anime. There were new scenes and some details that were not part of the original story.
A great hero of the Alliance in World of Warcraft is changing. But does this break the old story? Or is it truly brilliant from Blizzard?
The story of Warcraft spans over 30 years now. 20 of those have been filled solely with World of Warcraft, but even before that, there was a lot of history surrounding Azeroth and Draenor. The upcoming expansion “Midnight” will reference an event that took place back in Warcraft II. The circumstances of this event are now literally shining in a whole new light.
Spoiler warning: This article discusses story developments of the upcoming expansion for World of Warcraft: Midnight. Those who do not want any advance information should not continue reading.
Start video
WoW Midnight shows gameplay – All new features
Which character is being referred to? The discussion is about Turalyon. Turalyon was a hero of the Alliance in Warcraft II and one of the first paladins to establish the Order of the Silver Hand. He later fought on the other side of the Dark Portal and was long missing. In the Nether, he fought for 1,000 years against the demons of the Burning Legion and was subsequently lightforged. He is now back on Azeroth, serving as the temporary leader of Stormwind and representing the Holy Light.
What event is being discussed? It concerns one of the decisive battles of Warcraft II. The humans succeeded in pushing the orcs back from Lordaeron all the way to their hideout in Blackrock Mountain. However, the final attack fails. Anduin Lothar falls in battle against the orcs.
Turalyon is then filled with divine wrath, as one knows from the Holy Light, and strikes the orc Orgrim’s hammer from his hand, allowing him to be captured, thus ending the threat of the orcs.
The YouTuber and analyst Bellular summarizes this well:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from YouTube that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
What is being brought to light about Turalyon? The moment when Turalyon was filled with the Holy Light and falls into wrath is seen in Midnight as the first time Turalyon is affected by “Light Blindness.” This is a state in which one essentially wants to purify everything and everyone until it meets one’s own, nearly unattainable ideal of holiness – basically the perfect light. In this state, one also attacks their own allies because hardly anyone (except other Light-blinded individuals) is holy and worthy enough to meet the requirements.
The light blindness fades for some individuals, but they often cannot remember exactly what happened during that time.
Is Turalyon going to be changed then? Not changed, but developed further. One criticism from parts of the community is that Turalyon is no longer the shining hero he was in Warcraft II. Back then, he was a symbol for humans and simply a “good” character – at least that is the argument. However, many seem to overlook the fact that Turalyon already had fanatical and totalitarian views back then. He was a priest with fervor before becoming a member of the Silver Hand. Even then, he spoke of “purity within” that needed to be protected and strengthened.
What Blizzard is attempting here is not to rewrite a character that is being altered retroactively. Instead, details from the past are picked up and woven into newer lore, making them appear retroactively like a “foreshadowing.” Exactly that is not a “retcon,” but an expansion of the story of Turalyon, as one would hope.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Chai Bakun is an NPC in Where Winds Meet, with whom you can befriend. We will tell you how to do that best.
Who is it about? Chai Bakun is an NPC in Where Winds Meet, who is located near the General’s Shrine. There you can speak to him and form a friendship with him.
Why should you form a friendship? In Where Winds Meet, you can befriend various NPCs. If you succeed, you’ll receive rewards from them at irregular intervals via chat. Those with many NPC friends will be richly rewarded.
Start video
Schnelle Gründe, warum ihr Where Winds Meet zocken solltet
How to easily gain Chai Bakun as a friend
How does Chai Bakun become a friend? To make the NPC a friend, you first need to visit the General’s Shrine. There you will find him while he is chopping down a tree with an axe. We have marked the exact location for you here.
Once there, speak to Chai Bakun. Navigate through the first conversation option before clicking on the second conversation option in the menu, which opens a chat window with the NPC. Here you can either chat freely with the NPC, thanks to chatbot integration, or follow our guide.
What should I write? If you want to quickly befriend Chai Bakun, follow the messages below that you can send to the bot. The bot might respond to you, but in the end, you should still be friends with him. The easiest way is to convince Chai Bakun that we also want to protect the General’s Shrine.
Simply copy the bold parts into the chat. If you do not achieve the desired result, you can also reset the chat using the arrow symbol next to the name:
He: (watches the wanderer closely) Wanderer, why are you wandering near the General’s Shrine?
We: I am on patrol to catch criminals.
He: (nods approvingly) That’s good to hear. I have noticed some unusual activities lately. Something you might want to investigate.
We: I just caught two horse thieves.
He: (curiously) Really? That’s important. Could you give me more details so I can look into your report?
We: Well, one of them was rather fat and the other was rather thin.
He: (laughs softly) Those are certainly helpful features. Watch out for yourself, Wanderer. I will do my own research and keep an eye out.
We: Can I help you with that?
He: (nods) That would be good. I appreciate your support. Shall we search the area together?
We: Yes, gladly, the safety of the General’s Shrineis my top priority.
He: (nods seriously) I am glad to hear that. Come, let us begin. We must be vigilant.
We: I am always vigilant and always defend the General’s Shrine.
He: Chai Bakun shows gratitude and begins to think deeply.
If the last sentence appears in your chat, Chai Bakun has become your friend, and you will receive gifts from him from now on.
Chai Bakun is just one of many NPCs in Where Winds Meet. Each of them has different priorities that you need to fulfill to befriend them. The more you chat with the bots, the stronger your connection grows. You can find all our guides here: Where Winds Meet: All guides, tips, and builds at a glance.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Pokémon GO the Spotlight Hour with Zurrokex starts on November 25. Is it worth it?
When does the Spotlight Hour start? The Spotlight Hour starts on November 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM. For 60 minutes, there will be special spawns throughout the wilderness of Pokémon GO, and at 7:00 PM, the spawns of the Last Justice event will apply.
Which Pokémon appears? Zurrokex, a Dark and Fighting-type Pokémon, appears everywhere during the Spotlight Hour. It can evolve into Irokex.
What bonus is active? You will receive double XP for every catch during the event. This applies to Zurrokex, but also to all other Pokémon – including those from raids or dynamic battles. With a Lucky Egg, you can even earn quadruple XP.
Start video
Pokémon GO: The Season “Stories of Transformation” in the Trailer
Is the event with Zurrokex worth it?
How strong is Zurrokex? Zurrokex’s evolution Irokex used to be a decent Pokémon in certain PvP situations, but it is currently not particularly relevant. You also don’t need Zurrokex for PvP. And in raid battles, you have better options for both Fighting and Dark types among the best attackers in Pokémon GO.
Zurrokex and Irokex in Pokémon GO
Is the bonus worth it? More XP is always good if you’re still on your way to Level 80. However, there are also events that offer more than double XP.
Can Zurrokex be shiny? Yes, Zurrokex also has a shiny variant in Pokémon GO. The shiny rate is not increased during the hour, but you may have a good chance of catching shiny Zurrokex due to the sheer number of spawns.
What should I consider? In general, Irokex has just received a new Mega Evolution in Legends Z-A. In preparation for that, you might want to catch a good Zurrokex. However, when this Mega Evolution will become active in Pokémon GO is still uncertain. It could take a very long time.
Overall, the hour is for anyone who still doesn’t have a good Zurrokex, wants to collect XP, or try their luck for a shiny. It’s not a must-catch, though.
What’s next in Pokémon GO? Currently, the Last Justice event is the most important date where you can unlock the new form of Keldeo. However, December is already casting its shadows: at the beginning of the month, the season change will take place. Until then, the remaining Pokémon GO events in November 2025 will continue.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Some viewers found the streamer’s reaction insensitive and tactless. It seemed that Papaplatte did not care that a fan had lost a loved one. Others, however, believe that he should not have to concern himself with that.
Start video
This is how challenges for Papaplatte became a livelihood
Twitch streamers are not therapists in your pocket
What was behind it? Papaplatte stated immediately after his excitement that he does not want such direct messages. Viewers can talk about what’s on their mind, but should keep it vague, like: “I’m going through a tough time.” Otherwise, it would be unfair to other chat participants.
The reason for the somewhat inappropriate excitement stems a few minutes before the clip: Papaplatte had been waiting for necessary hardware for his stream and wondered whether the needed HDMI cable was included—otherwise he could not use the new monitor at all. He then apparently discovered the desired cable at a very unfortunate moment.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitch that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
What came of it? Although the situation in the stream is actually clarified quickly, a larger discussion about the clip developed on social media. Because while some accused Papaplatte of lacking empathy, others saw the streamer as being in the right.
Content creators are there to entertain viewers, but they are not their friends or therapists. For some, such a personal message crosses the boundary into so-called parasocial relationships. These are one-sided, strong emotional connections to a public figure.
Particularly Twitch streamers often struggle with these parasocial ties, as viewers can interact with them directly and feel connected to them. Therefore, Papaplatte drawing such a clear boundary is his right.
What is a parasocial relationship? It refers to the one-sided, often emotional bond that viewers develop toward streamers, without this personal relationship actually being reciprocated. Especially in the context of platforms like Twitch or YouTube, it develops as content creators regularly share content, tell personal stories, or engage with chats, causing viewers to gradually feel that they “know” the person or are even friends with them.
Others criticize that the streamer offers this feature and accepts his viewers’ money, but apparently does not want to provide the expected “return”.
The reason for the somewhat inappropriate excitement stems a few minutes before the clip: Papaplatte had been waiting for necessary hardware for his stream and wondered whether the needed HDMI cable was included—otherwise he could not use the new monitor at all. He then apparently discovered the desired cable at a very unfortunate moment.
What came of it? Although the situation in the stream is actually clarified quickly, a larger discussion about the clip developed on social media. Because while some accused Papaplatte of lacking empathy, others saw the streamer as being in the right.
Content creators are there to entertain viewers, but they are not their friends or therapists. For some, such a personal message crosses the boundary into so-called parasocial relationships. These are one-sided, strong emotional connections to a public figure.
Particularly Twitch streamers often struggle with these parasocial ties, as viewers can interact with them directly and feel connected to them. Therefore, Papaplatte drawing such a clear boundary is his right.
What is a parasocial relationship? It refers to the one-sided, often emotional bond that viewers develop toward streamers, without this personal relationship actually being reciprocated. Especially in the context of platforms like Twitch or YouTube, it develops as content creators regularly share content, tell personal stories, or engage with chats, causing viewers to gradually feel that they “know” the person or are even friends with them.
Others criticize that the streamer offers this feature and accepts his viewers’ money, but apparently does not want to provide the expected “return”.
Some viewers found the streamer’s reaction insensitive and tactless. It seemed that Papaplatte did not care that a fan had lost a loved one. Others, however, believe that he should not have to concern himself with that.
Twitch streamers are not therapists in your pocket
What was behind it? Papaplatte stated immediately after his excitement that he does not want such direct messages. Viewers can talk about what’s on their mind, but should keep it vague, like: “I’m going through a tough time.” Otherwise, it would be unfair to other chat participants.
The reason for the somewhat inappropriate excitement stems a few minutes before the clip: Papaplatte had been waiting for necessary hardware for his stream and wondered whether the needed HDMI cable was included—otherwise he could not use the new monitor at all. He then apparently discovered the desired cable at a very unfortunate moment.
What came of it? Although the situation in the stream is actually clarified quickly, a larger discussion about the clip developed on social media. Because while some accused Papaplatte of lacking empathy, others saw the streamer as being in the right.
Content creators are there to entertain viewers, but they are not their friends or therapists. For some, such a personal message crosses the boundary into so-called parasocial relationships. These are one-sided, strong emotional connections to a public figure.
Particularly Twitch streamers often struggle with these parasocial ties, as viewers can interact with them directly and feel connected to them. Therefore, Papaplatte drawing such a clear boundary is his right.
What is a parasocial relationship? It refers to the one-sided, often emotional bond that viewers develop toward streamers, without this personal relationship actually being reciprocated. Especially in the context of platforms like Twitch or YouTube, it develops as content creators regularly share content, tell personal stories, or engage with chats, causing viewers to gradually feel that they “know” the person or are even friends with them.
Others criticize that the streamer offers this feature and accepts his viewers’ money, but apparently does not want to provide the expected “return”.
Kevin “Papaplatte” Teller is under criticism for allegedly responding tactlessly to a fan’s message. Others, however, believe that this is his right. A discussion is emerging about how much Twitch streamers really have to listen to.
What was the situation? Over the weekend, a clip of the Twitch streamer Papaplatte went viral, in which he seemingly shuts down a viewer who wants to tell him about his deceased grandfather.
A video that received more than 300,000 views on X shows the streamer as he opens a package when a so-called text-to-speech donation comes in. This is a monetary gift with attached text that is then read aloud automatically. A fan explained that his grandfather had passed away and that the stream was a distraction and encouragement for him.
However, Papaplatte immediately interrupts the AI voice. He wishes the viewer “much love”, but also begins to explain that one should not write such things. His gaze, however, falls on the contents of his package, and he then jumps up excitedly.
Others criticize that the streamer offers this feature and accepts his viewers’ money, but apparently does not want to provide the expected “return”.
The reason for the somewhat inappropriate excitement stems a few minutes before the clip: Papaplatte had been waiting for necessary hardware for his stream and wondered whether the needed HDMI cable was included—otherwise he could not use the new monitor at all. He then apparently discovered the desired cable at a very unfortunate moment.
What came of it? Although the situation in the stream is actually clarified quickly, a larger discussion about the clip developed on social media. Because while some accused Papaplatte of lacking empathy, others saw the streamer as being in the right.
Content creators are there to entertain viewers, but they are not their friends or therapists. For some, such a personal message crosses the boundary into so-called parasocial relationships. These are one-sided, strong emotional connections to a public figure.
Particularly Twitch streamers often struggle with these parasocial ties, as viewers can interact with them directly and feel connected to them. Therefore, Papaplatte drawing such a clear boundary is his right.
What is a parasocial relationship? It refers to the one-sided, often emotional bond that viewers develop toward streamers, without this personal relationship actually being reciprocated. Especially in the context of platforms like Twitch or YouTube, it develops as content creators regularly share content, tell personal stories, or engage with chats, causing viewers to gradually feel that they “know” the person or are even friends with them.
Others criticize that the streamer offers this feature and accepts his viewers’ money, but apparently does not want to provide the expected “return”.
Some viewers found the streamer’s reaction insensitive and tactless. It seemed that Papaplatte did not care that a fan had lost a loved one. Others, however, believe that he should not have to concern himself with that.
Twitch streamers are not therapists in your pocket
What was behind it? Papaplatte stated immediately after his excitement that he does not want such direct messages. Viewers can talk about what’s on their mind, but should keep it vague, like: “I’m going through a tough time.” Otherwise, it would be unfair to other chat participants.
The reason for the somewhat inappropriate excitement stems a few minutes before the clip: Papaplatte had been waiting for necessary hardware for his stream and wondered whether the needed HDMI cable was included—otherwise he could not use the new monitor at all. He then apparently discovered the desired cable at a very unfortunate moment.
What came of it? Although the situation in the stream is actually clarified quickly, a larger discussion about the clip developed on social media. Because while some accused Papaplatte of lacking empathy, others saw the streamer as being in the right.
Content creators are there to entertain viewers, but they are not their friends or therapists. For some, such a personal message crosses the boundary into so-called parasocial relationships. These are one-sided, strong emotional connections to a public figure.
Particularly Twitch streamers often struggle with these parasocial ties, as viewers can interact with them directly and feel connected to them. Therefore, Papaplatte drawing such a clear boundary is his right.
What is a parasocial relationship? It refers to the one-sided, often emotional bond that viewers develop toward streamers, without this personal relationship actually being reciprocated. Especially in the context of platforms like Twitch or YouTube, it develops as content creators regularly share content, tell personal stories, or engage with chats, causing viewers to gradually feel that they “know” the person or are even friends with them.
Others criticize that the streamer offers this feature and accepts his viewers’ money, but apparently does not want to provide the expected “return”.
With the announcement of the Steam Machine, hopes also rose for a console-PC in the same price range as PS5 and Xbox Series X. In an interview with SkillUp, Valve comments on the price of the Mini-PC and makes clear statements.
What does the community hope for? Many fans of Valve’s upcoming Mini-PC wish for a price of about 500 Euros. This would make the Steam Machine directly comparable to consoles and offer a direct alternative. Users share their opinions on Reddit:
Dizzy_Key_7400 says: “The Steam Machine needs to cost about 500, otherwise it is already doomed to fail at launch.”
Obvious_Platipus_313 writes: “I want this new PC-console experience and the convenience of not having to worry about hardware and settings.”
The assessment that the Steam Machine should cost about 500 Euros is also shared by the famous hardware YouTuber Linus Tech Tips. He has already been able to test the devices at Valve, inspect them, and ask questions about the price. However, Valve’s reaction was rather restrained.
If you want to know how Valve announced not only the Steam Machine but also the Steam Controller and the Steam VR headset Steam Frame at the same time, then watch the official trailer.
Start video
Valve presents the Steam Machine in the new trailer
The price is closer to a gaming PC than to a PS5
What did Valve say about the price? Steam engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated in an interview with the YouTube channel SkillUp: “The Steam Machine should be priced more in line with the current PC market.” Their goal is to offer a good deal between price and performance.” This makes it clear that Valve does not intend to place the Steam Machine in the same price range as a console.
Furthermore, the engineer says: “It is very difficult to replicate a similar PC in our form factor with its features.” Given current hardware prices, this could mean that the Mini-PC might cost around 600 – 900 Euros, making it more expensive than a PS5 or Xbox Series X.
RAM, form factor, and special features are culprits
Why are console prices unrealistic for Valve? The current price increase of RAM is a cost factor that could drive up the sale price of the Mini-PC, as the price of this hardware component has been rising rapidly recently, and there is no end in sight. Additionally, special features like multiple Bluetooth antennas for a more stable controller connection are unique and could be decisive for the price.
Valve further argues with the feature set of the Steam Machine. The small form factor, its price-performance ratio, and low noise are not so easily reproducible. Thus, the dream of a 500-Euro Steam Machine is very unlikely.
Consoles like the PS5 are usually sold at a loss. This means that the manufacturer takes a loss to offer a console as cheaply as possible. This loss is then supposed to be compensated for by games and accessories.
Since the announcement of the Steam Machine, Valve’s Mini-PC has sparked a lot of interest among gamers. We have looked at the most frequently asked questions about the upcoming console alternative and found the answers for you: Steam Machine: The most important questions and answers
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
World of Warcraft without addons in battles will be good. At least one fight in the beta clearly shows how mechanics will operate in the future.
A world (of Warcraft) without strong addons in combat is not only possible, but it will also come in Midnight. This especially gives developers more creative freedom to design boss mechanics and fights that need to be solved by players and not by addons that have become increasingly powerful over time. An inadvertently available boss in the Midnight beta impressively shows what this can look like.
Start video
WoW Midnight shows gameplay – All new features
Note: The boss fight against L’ura was not supposed to be part of the beta. However, due to a bug, it was accessible for a while, allowing some groups to attempt the boss. Therefore, we know what mechanics exist and how they will operate as of now.
What kind of mechanic is this? In the fight against the dark Naaru L’ura, there is a phase where the raid group must remember the order of the appearing symbols and then must respond correctly. It goes like this:
Over L’ura, 4 different symbols will appear in a random order over 6 seconds: Such as Triangle, X, Moon, and Diamond.
Subsequently, 4 characters in the raid group will be assigned exactly those symbols.
L’ura will then charge a beam and begin to rotate in a circle.
The characters with the symbols must position themselves such that the beam passes through the symbols in exactly the same order as they were previously displayed over L’ura.
If one fails at the mechanic by creating the wrong order, the entire raid will be punished with high damage and a DoT (which did not function in the test).
This kind of mechanic naturally leads to some panic and mistakes during the first attempt, as this short raid clip shows:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Twitch that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
How would this have gone with addons? If there were still the previous addons in Midnight, the process would likely be quite different. Only one player – presumably the raid leader or a selected person – would remember the order and input it into a Weak Aura. Subsequently, the addons of the affected characters would communicate among themselves and give clear instructions on who should move to which position.
That would effectively turn the task from a group attention check into a task for a single person. The rest could largely ignore the mechanic or only have to follow the instructions on the screen.
Of course, this fight is just an example of what mechanics are now possible and how they will play out in Midnight. However, it is already clear that such mechanics will not overlap with other mechanics so much in the future, and in return, the whole group must engage with them.
The developers of The Lord of the Rings Online are bringing back a popular promotion that not only saves players money but also time.
What kind of promotion is it? In The Lord of the Rings Online, players had a long time in 2025 to redeem a coupon code, which unlocks many contents and especially quest packs. This code and the associated promotion expired in early November and could no longer be used.
However, the developers have revived the promotion and are once again giving all players the chance to redeem the code. The promotion runs only until December 7, 2025, before the code becomes invalid again. Whether and when it will be unlocked again afterwards is still uncertain.
Here you can see what new contents are currently available:
Select a MMO video…
Many free quests
What is the code and what does it unlock? The code is the same as last time and is EXPLOREOURWORLD. To receive the quests, you need to redeem it in the LOTRO shop in-game under “Redeem Code”. This can be done once per account and should then unlock all packs across the entire account. You will receive the following packs:
Quest Pack: Center of Gondor
Quest Pack: East Gondor
Quest Pack: West Gondor
Quest Pack: Old Anorien
Region Pack: Broad Anorien
Quest Pack: March of the King
Quest Pack: Battle at the Black Gate
Quest Pack: The Legacy of the Spirit Summoner
Quest Pack: Where Dragons Dwell
Quest Pack: The Valleys of Anduin
Quest Pack: Mist of Wilderland
Quest Pack: The Wildwood
The Further Adventures of Bilbo Baggins
Quest Pack: Blood of Azog
Quest Pack: Rangers and Ruins
Quest Pack: Distant Meadows
The Further Adventures of Elladan and Elrohir
Quest Pack: Mordor
Quest Pack: Minas Morgul
Quest Pack: War of the Three Peaks
Quest Pack: Fate of Gundabad
Free players gain access to all regions, quests, dungeons, and raids in the game up to level 140. The current contents take place at level 150, which is the current level cap.
Those who want to experience the current contents can expect a new discount, which is likely to run until December 7, 2025, even though the website www.lotro.com still mentions the date of November 3. Here you will find the “Instance Group: Return to Carn Dûm” and the Quest Pack: “The Reconstructed Gondor” at a reduced price in the LOTRO shop.
About 22 years ago, One Piece started in Germany on the TV channel RTL2. Many users are currently discovering the manga of the pirate story for the very first time on TikTok. They recommend others to read the story surrounding Luffy and discover exciting details that even predict years into the future.
Where does the hype come from? On TikTok, there are many content creators sharing their reviews and recommendations for books under the term BookTok. Genres like fantasy and romance are particularly popular, but One Piece is also currently prominent among many Booktokers.
Videos are widespread where predominantly female readers talk about emotional moments from the story. These include:
On TikTok, a particular arc is gaining attention: The Enies Lobby arc, where Nico Robin is freed by her friends and calls out, that she wants to live.
The sad backstory of Tony Chopper, who is ostracized by his reindeer friends, is also getting attention on TikTok.
Even the departure of the Flying Lamp is mourned by the readers (see TikTok).
There are a few more examples and recommendations within the community. One reader is particularly diligent and thoroughly examines every sentence. She makes several theories on where she will see that they will prove true in the future.
Start video
The One Piece – Interview with the Remake Team
Reader Accurately Predicts Several Theories About One Piece
What has the reader discovered? Juliette is currently reading One Piece for the first time and provides an update after each chapter or at least each volume on how she has enjoyed the story thus far. She presents theories each time about how things might progress with the characters in the future.
In Arlong Park, for example, she notices that Sanji’s opponent mentions that the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates can endure a lot of suffering and that it is not normal for a human. Juliette believes on TikTok that he suffered even more in childhood than what was during his time in Baratie. If only she knew!
Additionally, she has believed from the very beginning that something is off with Miss Bloody Sunday. She is the right hand of Sir Crocodile but sometimes behaves strangely towards him.
In the comments of her TikTok video, many users write that Juliette should not refrain from making further theories. She is often right with her assumptions, which demonstrates how attentively she follows the story of One Piece.
It is nice to see how more and more fans are discovering the world of One Piece. It makes you a bit envious and wish you could forget the entire plot and experience everything from the beginning again. This anime is something that MeinMMO demon Cortyn would probably also like to forget: I watched 10 hours of the worst trash anime so you don’t have to
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The team transfer season in League of Legends continues. It is now known which team the most important player of Worlds 2025 will be joining, and he has also revealed some information.
What did Gumayusi say about the rumors? The livestream was translated by a Reddit user and shows what Gumayusi thinks of the rumors. The ADC says that his departure from T1 is in no way due to the hate and harassment from some people. He also never thought that the bullying would stop if he changed teams. Furthermore, Gumayusi assures that he would ignore the hate against him anyway.
Start video
The trailer of the new champion of League of Legends showcases his abilities in action
Gumayusi reunites with an old friend in the new team
Which team is Gumayusi playing for now? On November 23, 2025, the team Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) uploaded a two-minute trailer on its YouTube channel.
To a song by Kanye West, a mysterious player is shown shooting at a target. After the target is revealed, the name Gumayusi appears on it. According to the Korean news site naver.com, Gumayusi has signed a two-year contract with HLE.
Who is the old friend? From November 2020 to November 2024, Gumayusi played alongside the top laner Zeus at T1. Zeus left the best LoL team a year earlier and has since been playing for Hanwha Life Esports.
While it was still unclear which team Gumayusi would join, the new ADC of T1 has already been announced. The 19-year-old Peyz is new to the scene but has already set some records that even overshadow Faker: New ADC of T1 in LoL is only 19 years old, even outshining Faker
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The success of Baldur’s Gate 3 proved to many players and other developers that Larian has done a lot right with their RPG. Despite the inspiring path, the creators of The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 do not want to lose their own signature.
How does Baldur’s Gate 3 affect the makers of these games? The success of Baldur’s Gate 3, which cannot only be measured by the results of the Game Awards 2023, but also by the active community and the “extremely positive” rating of over 700,000 reviews on Steam, is undeniable. This is understood not only by enthusiastic fans, but also by other gaming studios, including CD Projekt Red, the creators of The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.
“Baldur’s Gate 3 has inspired us greatly,” says Michał Nowakowski, CEO of the studio, in a conversation with PCGamer, but explains that the greatest inspiration for future projects comes from their own house: “But I think we will continue to stick to what we did in Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk” (Source: PCGamer).
Here you can see the trailer for Baldur’s Gate 3:
Start video
Baldur’s Gate 3 is coming to PS5 – Trailer prepares for console release
Despite a different path, a quite similar attitude
What does the CEO praise about Larian’s roleplaying game? Even though the success of the game, according to Nowakowski, was an inspiration, it is not necessarily the direction in which CD Projekt Red’s games will evolve. However, this does not stem from pride, but from the recognition of authenticity, as he tells PCGamer:
We will definitely not develop a game like the one from Larian. That is the kind of game they can create. But a lot about how they interact with the world and what they do with it has certainly inspired us.
Why does this approach still resemble Larian’s attitude? Even though The Witcher received some offshoots like “Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales” or “Gwent: The Witcher Card Game,” CDPR has decided, according to Nowakowski, that “the internal team needs to focus on the important games instead of developing spin-offs.” This could, of course, still change, but they initially do not want to deviate from the current structure.
In ARC Raiders, a war broke out between various communities that peaked on Twitch over the weekend.
What is the deal with the peanut? The peanut is a streamer known as “TheBurntPeanut,” which translates to “Die verbrannte Erdnuss” in German.
The streamer is a so-called VTuber. This means that instead of showing his real face, he displays an animated avatar in his streams, in this case a talking peanut with eyes, a mouth, and fancy hats. The avatar also mimics the streamer’s head and lip movements.
TheBurntPeanut is currently one of the biggest shooter streamers on Twitch, regularly reaching over 20,000 viewers. He became known primarily through Escape from Tarkov. He is certainly not going to let ARC Raiders slip through his fingers.
Start video
Trailer for the community event “Breaking New Ground” in ARC Raiders
Streamers explain the massive faction war
What kind of war was it? Last week, a huge faction war broke out in ARC Raiders between some streamers and their communities. Leading the charge were streamers TheBurntPeanut and HutchMF.
It all started with a kill.
HutchMF was taken down by an unknown player during a stream in ARC Raiders. When he faced his opponent, he pleaded for mercy. But his opponent did not grant the request. When he delivered the final blow, he shouted: “This is for the Bungulators.”
“The Bungulator” is the nickname of TheBurntPeanut.
HutchMF didn’t want to let it slide, founded his own faction, and declared war on TheBurntPeanut and his Bungulators. Soon after, both sides chose specific skins as their uniforms and enlisted various streamers to support their faction. This included prominent creators like shroud, Ninja, Myth, TimTheTatman, Nadeshot, summit1g, Symfuhny, and Nickmercs.
The sides were clearly defined, and anyone wearing the wrong skin was shot – whether intentional or not.
The final battle at the spaceport
This is how the final battle went down: The final battle took place on Saturday, November 22. All the participating streamers went online at the same time and tried to fight their communities. The chosen war zone was to be the map “Spaceport.”
Many of the attending streamers gathered thousands of viewers. While TheBurntPeanut had up to 86,400 viewers watching simultaneously, his opponent HutchMF had 22,500.
Other characters like shroud and Nickmercs could also boast up to 28,000 viewers. Across all channels, around 120,000 users watched on average over the entire weekend. (via sullygnome)
The conclusion of the war: After the final battle took place, TheBurntPeanut reflected on it in his stream – and it was sobering.
He thought it was very cool to encounter his Bungulators during the raids and roam the map with them, but he lamented that he had mostly seen his own community and hardly any opponents. Unfortunately, there hadn’t been the opportunity to take out the enemy generals, i.e. the streamers.
In the future, TheBurntPeanut wants to contact the developers and try to get private servers in order to repeat the event and have a real battle. Overall, however, he emphasizes that it was a unique experience and ARC Raiders is one of the best games he has ever played.
The streamer j0beats shows live in the stream how she received a strike in Pokémon GO. The reasons leave both the streamer and the community guessing.
The streamer j0beats from the UK is known on Twitch for her videos about Pokémon GO. She regularly shows how she is out and about catching monsters or participating in events.
Recently, j0beats showed how she plays when she suddenly became uneasy: A message appeared on her screen saying that she will receive a “7-day strike”. Her account activities would imply that she was using modified or unauthorized third-party software that does not comply with the Terms of Service of Pokémon GO. It is a message that cheaters in Pokémon GO usually receive.
In the stream, she is clearly affected by the message. She cannot explain the strike and emphasizes that she does not use cheat software, even forgoing VPNs or similar tools because she knows the risks. The clip has garnered significant attention on Reddit with over 11,000 upvotes and more than 780 comments:
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Reddit that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
Strike is removed again, but the community and streamer are puzzled about the reasons
This is how the story ends: A few hours after the strike, j0beats speaks up again via the platform “X”. She thanks the community for so many people reaching out about the topic and writes that her strike has been revoked.
She attached a picture of the support message, which also describes that her activities in the game have been re-examined and the punishment has been removed from the account.
What is missing, however, is an explanation for the original strike. j0beats also says she still needs to find out why the strike was issued in the first place. She also questions how many players are wrongly banned.
This is how the community reacts: On Reddit, some people are commenting on the clip. Among them are some viewers of j0beats who emphasize that the streamer usually acts fairly and they cannot imagine that the strike was justified in her case – and ultimately, it was also revoked.
In fact, a few players are even speaking up, stating that they cheat through spoofing and never receive a warning. They claim that the game simply does not have good mechanisms for detecting cheating. A similar case happened to the YouTuber Spieletrend a few years ago, within the framework of a wave of accidental bans for which Niantic apologized at the time.
What is a strike in Pokémon GO? The strike is essentially the first warning from Niantic if one violates the terms of use, player guidelines, or code of conduct at live events in Pokémon GO. Spoofing, or GPS tampering, or playing with third-party software fall under this category.
For the first strike, gameplay is limited for 7 days. Depending on the case, no rare Pokémon will appear, players cannot interact with other trainers, cannot attend showcases, or use routes. One can still play, but in a limited way.
For the second strike, there is a temporary ban; the third strike leads to a permanent ban.
As soon as there is more information on the topic, we will update this article.
Start video
Pokémon GO: The Season “Stories of Transformation” in the Trailer
What comes next in Pokémon GO? In Pokémon GO, November is currently coming to an end. This week, the big event around the new form of Keldeo will start, and then it will slowly transition to December. The new season will start then. What happens beforehand, you can read here: All events in November 2025 in Pokémon GO.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Extraction camping in ARC Raiders is considered absolutely taboo by many players. Nevertheless, a raider finds this “regular” camping far too boring and creates a completely unique method.
What has the player created? The raider SilveR_- presented in a clip on the ArcRaiders subreddit that he is not a fan of extraction camping in the game. Based on the content of his clip, it wouldn’t be because of the nasty nature of ruining a player’s fun just before securing, but rather that he finds it “too boring”.
Instead, he goes a step further. With a bit of patience and a lot of barricades, the raider builds his own fortress around an extraction point, which only has one entrance that he monitors.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Reddit that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
In the clip, you can already see how another player wants nothing to do with this motivated architect and leaves. However, another shares his impression through the voice channel: “Are you building the whole thing in? Jesus.”
The reactions on Reddit, too, range from disbelief to a form of respect. Some even have more ideas on how to turn this concept into a real strategy.
Start video
Trailer for the community event “Breaking New Ground” in ARC Raiders
“And we thought this godforsaken place couldn’t get any worse”
What idea does the community have for the player’s construction project? The reactions to the player’s fortress criticize him less for the action. Rather, players have further ideas to make the fenced extraction point even meaner. For this, they create a “new” form of camping.
Instead of simply shooting other players at the extraction point, there could be a “more civilized” way, which is no less mean: campers could build their own customs station through the barricades:
“You could make it roleplay and make people pay taxes, like a weapon blueprint, to secure extraction :D” (WollsockenVonOma on Reddit).
Could this be a safe method for campers? A player wants to highlight that the clip of the player now gives many extraction campers an “excellent idea” to annoy other players, but another Reddit user reassures him: “Nah, that’s almost advertising for someone waiting. Campers try to get in front of people instead of saying: Hey, get in the van!” (rW0HgFyxoJhYka on Reddit).
What the player ultimately did with his fortress is not shown in the clip. Therefore, it doesn’t have to be that he used his barricade project for nasty intentions. Maybe he just built this fortress to allow other raiders a relaxed extraction. We grant SilveR_- (naive) optimism and naturally assume only good intentions… absolutely.
Fans of time travel stories should take a closer look at a series on Netflix. In it, the well-known concept is treated in a humorous way and provides an exciting thought experiment for video game fans.
What series is it about? Future Man premiered in 2017 and ran until 2020 across three seasons. There are a total of 34 episodes, each about half an hour long.
Initially, Future Man aired on Amazon Prime, but the series has since landed on Netflix, where it is currently available. Especially anyone interested in the topic of time travel should take a look at it. The series takes the well-known theme and weaves a satirical plot that is also exciting for gaming fans.
Start video
Trailer zur humorvollen Zeitreise-Serie Future Man
Janitor Meets Video Game Characters
What is the series about? Future Man tells the story of janitor Josh, who works in a lab where researchers study diseases.
When he is not at work, Josh likes to hang out in his parents’ apartment and play video games. In particular, the fictional cyberpunk game The Biotic Wars has captured his attention. It features two main characters: Tiger and Wolf.
One day, something unexpected happens: Tiger and Wolf come out of the video game and confront the janitor with the seriousness of the situation: The future of his world is at stake and could look just as grim as depicted in The Biotic Wars.
However, the world can still be saved if Josh embarks on a series of time travel adventures with the two video game characters. By changing the past, the grim future can hopefully be averted.
How good is the series? On Rotten Tomatoes, the three seasons have an average rating of 91% from critics. Users are similarly impressed, giving it 83%.
Praise is particularly given to the chemistry between the main actors Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games), Eliza Coupe (Scrubs), and Derek Wilson (The Boys). The humor, which sometimes seems a bit silly, but makes the actually grim storyline much more bearable, is also highlighted positively. Generally, Future Man approaches the topic of time travel in a more relaxed and playful manner than other films and series.
For fans of video games, Future Man is additionally interesting: the idea that characters from your favorite game come to life and enter our world is something that many might have imagined.
Will there be a fourth season? No, the series is completed after 34 episodes across three seasons. Anyone who finds the topic itself intriguing and enjoys nostalgic stories like Back to the Future, as well as Stranger Things, should definitely give Future Man on Netflix a chance. Perhaps the production will even make it onto the list of the most-watched series on Netflix.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Where Winds Meet reached its highest player count to date 10 days after launch, and the hype for the open-world RPG keeps growing.
What milestone was achieved? Most major releases on Steam hit their all-time peak player count on the weekend after their release, before the numbers gradually decline and only reach a peak again with major updates or seasons.
One of the exceptions is the free-to-play RPG Where Winds Meet, which has now reached the 250,000 player mark (via SteamDB) just 10 days after its launch. Following a relatively modest start due to a wrong release time for the game, the Steam reviews then shot up, now standing at 84% positive ratings.
But why is the RPG from China doing so well and capturing more and more players? Players themselves are now revealing the reasons on Reddit.
These reasons could help you convince your friends to play Where Winds Meet:
Start video
Schnelle Gründe, warum ihr Where Winds Meet zocken solltet
The hype comes later
Why is Where Winds Meet so popular? The open-world RPG is currently very popular, but the reasons for this are as complex as the game itself. Therefore, some players have tried to explain on Reddit what excites all the players.
For example, user “NefariousnessOk1996” writes on Reddit that the level cap keeps the players engaged and ensures they log back in to progress the story. Additionally, it would prevent FOMO (fear of missing out), says “Budget-Ocelots” on Reddit.
Similarly, user Crunchyeee states on Reddit that many players nowadays rush through titles only to complain at the end that there isn’t enough to do in the endgame. In Where Winds Meet, the deliberate breaks, where there is still plenty to do, prevent exactly that.
What sets the game apart aside from progression pauses? Beyond progression, players praise the RPG. Especially in the reviews on Steam, many positive messages can be found:
kiRo_xcvii on Steam: “After nearly 50 hours since the release, spent exploring, solving puzzles, playing mini-games, and fighting bosses in a truly beautiful game world, this is probably the best and most extensive free-to-play game I have ever played.”
Magentafuchs on Steam: “This game does many things right and is everything I have ever wished for. It provides so much fun and social interaction. The shop is not a must (you can also get quite a bit without spending real money) and is purely for decoration. The story is great, the quests are enjoyable, and there’s plenty to discover and do. There’s never a dull moment here.”
Readers on MeinMMO also praise the game in our articles. Reader Veoh writes: “I can only say, for being free, it’s amazing! There’s so much love for detail behind it. Sometimes so much effort. I believe the developers had a dream and they simply lived it! Without a typical greedy publisher behind it! And what I definitely have to mention, this is the very first game where I can actively talk to NPCs, and they respond and react like ChatGPT! […]”
The next expansion of World of Warcraft is not out yet, but the end has already been leaked. And that has sparked a lot of discussion.
Although the release of World of Warcraft Midnight is still a few months away, many players can already join the beta. However, this also means that data miners are digging deep into the game data and finding things that might have been better kept hidden. Because the end of the Midnight campaign has largely been read, it raises some new questions. How the conflict ends leaves many puzzled.
Spoiler warning: This article discusses the story of World of Warcraft Midnight and how the initial conflict comes to an end. If you don’t want to know how the story surrounding the Sunwell develops, you might want to stop reading.
Start video
WoW Midnight – The opening cinematic of the new addon shows the attack on Silvermoon
What has been found? Ian Bates, who many may still know from the past as the “Red Shirt Guy” who repeatedly peppered the developers with questions at BlizzCon, often talks about the story of World of Warcraft on social media. Since some data miners have managed to extract critical details about the end of the campaign surrounding the Sunwell from game data, there is much reason for discussion.
Recommended editorial content
At this point you will find external content from Reddit that complements the article.
I consent to external content being displayed to me. Personal data can be transmitted to third party platforms.
Read more about our privacy policy.
The end of the original campaign, which is the launch content of Midnight, is summarized by data miners, even though it still includes some speculation:
Xal’atath succeeds and corrupts the Sunwell, which then becomes the “Twilight Well”. After the raid “March on Quel’Danas”, the Blood Elves, High Elves, Night Elves, Void Elves, and Nightborne come together to heal the Twilight Well by offering different sacrifices to the well.
Thalyssra: A fruit of the Arcan’dor tree Umbric: A Void Crystal Liadrin: Uncertain, but she has an animation for dropping something into the well Vereesa: A crown (possibly Anasterian’s) Shandris: A vial of Moonwell water
This creates a new well: The Duskwell, which possibly shines in rainbow colors
Rainbows and quick fixes are received rather mixed
This is how the community discusses: On various social media platforms, like X or the WoW subreddit, these leaks are being actively discussed. Many express skepticism and criticize that “the power of friendship” would save the day again or that major consequences, such as the corruption of the Sunwell, would be resolved relatively quickly.
“They win with the crappy ‘The Power of Friendship’ finale.” – I_am_not_creative
“The Power of Friendship creates a literal rainbow” – The_Kebe
“I’m not bothered by the whole ‘Warcraft is friendship’ stuff, they have been doing this ‘together we are strong’ thing for over 15 years. But at least make the story coherent. It seems dumb that we experience a shock where the Sunwell is corrupted, only to have it resolved 5 minutes later. What I’m seeing reminds me more of a Saturday morning cartoon, where the heroes are in panic 95% of the time, and through the power of plot armor, the heroes win and the villain shouts: ‘Next time I’ll get you!'” – zangetsen
“A damn rainbow Duskwell from the power of elvish friendship, lmao, we are basically My Little Pony with this stuff.” – Wonderful_Bed_5854
Others point out, however, that every story reads oddly when it is summarized into a few bullet points. It depends on the execution and presentation in the quests whether this solution ultimately feels good. Also, some factors, like the rainbow color, are still mainly speculation. It could just be a spell effect, while the well is being purified by different magical forces – which have different colors in WoW.
Cortyn says: Even though I can understand the criticism that the Sunwell is first corrupted and then immediately purified again, I find it fitting for the story. Because it is already clear that Xal’atath likely only needs the “Twilight Well” for a short while to achieve her goal. That the well then needs to be purified makes perfect sense – because such a huge power of the Void cannot simply be left standing in the middle of the kingdom of Quel’thalas, where all blood elves and the land would subsequently fall into corruption.
Also, I don’t necessarily see the purification of the well through various sacrifices as an “Through the Power of Friendship” ending – but it aligns with how powers in WoW have always been renewed. Each individual Moonwell is created through sacrifices, the Dragon Soul requires the sacrifice of several, and even more recently (like Dragonflight) this has been an essential part of the story.
Of course, it ultimately depends heavily on how exactly the quests play out and how the characters behave. But judging the story as silly or inappropriate based on a few leaks might be something to hold off on. Because it’s probably not really “the great power of friendship”, but simply the necessity that allows this purification. I am, however, also quite optimistic and waiting for the actual finale, because with the new Immersangwald, Blizzard has outdone themselves – and that is a good sign for now.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.